Grant of advance increments to stenographers in Railways

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA/BHARAT SARKAR
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS/RAIL MANTRALAYA
(RAILWAY BOARD)

PC-IV No.357
No.PC-IV/2010/Increment/1

RBE No.119/2010
New Delhi 19.08.2010

The General Managers
All Indian Railways / Production Units, etc.
(as per mailing list)

SUB: – Grant of advance increments to stenographers in subordinate offices for acquiring higher speed in short-hand-Acceptance of Award of Board of Arbitration.-regarding.

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In accordance with the provisions contained in this Ministry’s letter No.PC-III/74/INC/3dated 07.11.1975 and letter No.PC-IV/88/Increment/ 1dated 27.10.89, stenographers in the pay scale of Rs.1200-2040(Pre-revised) were granted one or two advance increments respectively on qualifying short-hand speed test at 100 or 120 wpm, both at recruitment stage and while in service. It was clarified vide letter dated 27.10.89 that these advance increments will not count as pay for allowances and as emoluments for pension/gratuity.

2. A demand was raised by the Staff Side in the National Council (JCM) that the advance increments granted to stenographers be treated as pay for all purposes. The demand of the Staff Side was referred to the Board of Arbitration by the Department of Personnel &Training, vide CA Ref.No.5 of 2004 which gave the following Award on 16.9.2005:–
“The advance increment sanctioned to the Stenographers in the subordinate offices as an incentive for passing the speed test of 100 wpm and 120wpm should be treated as pay for all purposes.”

3. The above Award has been considered by the Department of Personnel &Training in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and the President is pleased to accept the Award in CA Reference No.5 of 2004. Accordingly , it has been decided that the advance increments granted to the Stenographers in subordinate Offices/Railways in terms of the provisions contained in this Ministry’s letter dated 7.11.1975 Shall be treated a s pay for all purposes. Past cases decided otherwise may be regulated accordingly. This Ministry’s letter No.PC-IV/88/increment/1 dated 27.10.89 and PC-V/2000/I/7/6/2 dated 15.3.2001 shall be treated as amended to this extent.

4. This issue with the concurrence of Finance directorate of this Ministry.